Meanwhile, Kieran and Khaos stood in the same spot, each processing the chaotic scene in their own way. Khaos's brow furrowed as he watched Aurora and Freya. *When did they become so close?* he thought, a twinge of jealousy creeping in. *She better not like him.* The thought gnawed at him, and he felt a possessive urge rise within him.
On the other hand, Knox's thoughts were more pragmatic. 'Good, she wasn't hurt,' he mused, relief washing over him. 'If Aurora had been injured, Kieran would have been drowning in guilt again.'
As they were lost in their thoughts, a girl approached them, her demeanor bright and cheerful. "Hi!" she said, her voice ringing out like a bell. Knox turned to her with a warm smile, his charm effortlessly shining through. But Khaos, on the other hand, shot her a cold glance, his expression as frosty as a winter morning.
Under Khaos's icy gaze, the girl's confidence faltered. She fidgeted nervously, her words tumbling out in a stammer. "Um, the school director calls for you, Zeus."
Khaos's expression darkened further at the mention of his father. He didn't respond, merely turning on his heel and striding away, the tension in his shoulders palpable. Knox watched him go, a mix of concern and understanding swirling in his chest. *To the outside world, the Triple Kays seem to be living the good life,* he thought, *but only we know the struggles we face behind closed doors.* Khaos was always at odds with his father, Kieran was battling insomnia, and he himself, his difficulties ?
As he stood there, lost in thought, Knox walked over to the signing book, his fingers gliding over the pages as he scanned for a familiar name. After a moment, he muttered to himself, "She's not around." A hint of disappointment laced his voice.
---
As Aurora walked toward class, Kieran bounced behind her, his energy infectious. "Your expression when you dealt with Freya was so devilish! I think 'Devil Aunt' suits you better than 'Big Sis,'" he exclaimed, a playful grin plastered across his face.
Aurora's lips twitched at the nickname, "Devil Aunt? Really?" , but she chose to remain silent, her eyes focused ahead. Kieran, undeterred, continued chattering away, his enthusiasm bubbling over. But after a few moments, Aurora could feel her patience wearing thin. Finally, she turned to him, her tone teasing yet firm. "No one will treat you as a mute if you keep shut, kid."
Kieran's eyes widened in mock indignation. "I'm not a kid! I'm 22!" he protested, puffing out his chest as if to emphasize his maturity.
"Are you sure about that?" Aurora shot back, a playful smirk dancing on her lips as she raised an eyebrow.
"Don't look at me like that! I'm really not a kid," Kieran insisted, feeling a twinge of guilt under her knowing gaze.
Aurora simply shrugged and continued walking, her silence inviting Kieran to fill the space with his chatter. He took the cue and launched into a detailed recount of how well she had handled Freya, his voice animated and full of admiration.
"You don't seem to like her," Aurora observed, glancing sideways at him.
Kieran's expression soured for a moment, his distaste for Freya evident. But he quickly masked it, shaking his head. "No, I don't hate anyone. Mom said good kids don't hate," he replied, his voice firm but lacking conviction.
"Your mom seems like a good person," Aurora said, her tone melodious and calm. She was interrogating him but her voice wasn't probing, making it seem she was just making a casual remark.
Kieran's face lit up, a bittersweet smile crossing his lips. "Yes, she is. Very nice and gentle," he said, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice.
"She's very talented," Aurora added.
"Do you know her?" Kieran asked, his voice low.
"Uhm…" Aurora hummed.
"Do you have a picture of her?" Aurora suddenly said.
"No," Kieran replied, his eyes evasive, and unspoken emotions hanging in the air.
Just as Aurora was about to steer the conversation back to lighter topics, Kieran piped up again, his curiosity unabated. "Where do you live?"
"On campus," Aurora replied, her voice melodious and calm as ever.
A mischievous smile spread across Kieran's face, and he bounced happily after her, his lively spirit returning.
**Administrative Building**
Khaos stepped out of his father's office, his expression as stormy as ever. The usual scowl was etched on his face, a mask of frustration that seemed to be permanently affixed. He strode through the office corridor, the click of his shoes echoing against the polished floors, when suddenly his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He fished it out, glancing at the screen. The number was saved as "Unknown." Not again, he thought, irritation flaring in his chest. With a resigned sigh, he answered the call, his gaze drifting to the wall as he braced himself for the familiar taunts.
"Hey, loser," a cold, calm voice greeted him, dripping with disdain. Khaos clenched his jaw but remained silent, unwilling to give the caller the satisfaction of a response.
"You will never be better than him," the voice continued, each word laced with venom. "You see, you're just like the heels of a lady's shoe. Classy and attractive, sure, but no matter how dazzling you are, you'll always be under Kieran's feet." The man paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, and Khaos could feel his blood boiling.
"Bye. Yours sincerely, Phone Man," the voice concluded mockingly before the call abruptly ended.
In a fit of rage, Khaos slammed his phone against the wall, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the corridor. His veins throbbed with anger, teeth gritted so tightly it felt like they might crack. His eyes burned with fury, and his fists were clenched, trembling with the effort of holding back the storm brewing inside him. He felt like a ferocious beast, ready to erupt at any moment.
From a distance, a man watched the scene unfold, a wicked smirk dancing on his lips.